Curt's Best Shots Slideshow

Saturday, February 7, 2009

Stamp Simply - Let's Get Negative

Hey All! Hope you are having a wonderful weekend! I was up stamping until well after 1:00 am this morning. Have you ever just been so into "creating" that you look at the clock and see it is after one in the morning when you thought it was only 10 or 11 PM? LOL I couldn't believe it.

Anyway, the two cards I have to share with you today are below. One is for Sharon Johnson's Stamp Simply Challenge. You can get the details here. The idea of the challenge is to use dies or punches to create a negative image, or a stamp that leaves a negative image. It's hard to explain, but you will see it in my first card. The oval cut out and the butterfly both would be considered examples of negatives.



Instead of using the oval that was cut out, I used the paper that was left from the cut out. The butterfly has a floral pattern on its wings that does not stamp when you stamp the image, so that is the "negative" effect too. Come to think of it, the flower image is kind of a negative too, because the first two images are completely filled in and the other is just an outline. And it you want to get technical, the embossed card stock is also a form of negative imaging because the raised parts would be positive and the indented parts are the negative. LOL I'm such a dork!

Anyway, there is a lot of depth to this card. I did something that I normally don't do on my cards, and that is to stamp directly onto the printed paper. I did that with the image and the sentiment. I raised the embossed cut out oval with foam squares to give it more of a frame effect. Here are the deets:

Stamps: Stampendos (flowers) Sentiment: Studio G Butterfly: Inkadinkado
Paper: DCWV stack Bazzill card stock
Ink: Staz-On Timber Brown
Embossing: Cuttlebug folder
Oval cut out: Nesties
Ribbon: Michaels

My next card was inspired by the extremely cold weather we have been having. Several days have been below 0. So when it is this cold, I always turn to those comforting, warming things that help take the chill off. One of those things is a nice hot cup of cocoa. Here's the card:




I bought this stamp months ago, but this is the first time I've used it. I colored them with colored pencils (had to put reading glasses on because the print on these cups were so tiny!). I added liquid applique to the top of the cups and heated it with my heat gun so it would puff up. I used my finger which had a little ink on it to dab the liquid applique so that it looked like the "whipped cream" had been sprinkled with cocoa powder. I then used an ink pad to distress the edges and then mounted the cups image with foam squares for dimension. The sentiment is computer generated. Added the ribbon, made the bow separately, added a large clear dew drop that I "painted" with a Copic marker to match the colors of the card and done. Card deets:

Paper: Creative Imagination; Bazzill
Ink: Archival Jet Black; Colorbox brown
Stamp: Jone Inc. Teacup Parade
Stuff: Ribbon-Michaels; Liquid Applique, large dew drop thingy

Last but not least, I wanted to give all of you a huge heartfelt thank you for leaving the incredibly supportive comments on my last post. I truly have never felt so supported and cheered for, and you all made my day with each and every comment. Whether or not I get the DT position is a moot point. What really matters to me is all of you and how wonderful you are! So again, thank you sincerely. I am told that we will know next week who has been chosen. I will let you know as soon as I hear.

I will be drawing for the winner of my blog candy tomorrow. So if you don't mind, I'll wait and make the announcement of the DT position and the blog candy winner at the same time. So hopefully in just a few days. Thanks for all of you who helped support Pat Adam and her Cards for Kids project. The last update I heard was that she had well over 3,000 cards! I just can't get over it. What an amazing thing we all did!

Thanks so much for stopping by. . .Love having you here! Don't forget the Pic of the Week below. I took this one the first part of this past week. I'll see you all on your blogs!


Best,

Curt O'Brien

"God help me be the person that my dogs think I am."

42 comments:

Sue from Oregon said...

Very classy/chocolaty cards this morning! I love them both! Makes me want to go stamp this morning!

Sue said...

oh two gorgeous card they are brill, luv the tea cups, sue.x

Macpurp said...

what beautiful cards!
see now I want some chocolate!!!
will settle for a hot chocolate!

still got my fingers crossed for your DT spot.
WOW! thats a great response to the valentines cards!

stay warm.
its really cold here too.
hugs
Tina x

mudmaven said...

These are absolutely fantastic! I love them both. I copied them into my inspiration journal to keep to inspire me! Those cups of cocoa make me want to dash into the kitchen and mix up a cup! ~chris

V Colbourne said...

Loveee loveee loveee the cocoa card, definitely my fave!! Wish I had a cup of it right now :D

Rita said...

LOL, your too funny!!! I luv both your cards & I think I'm going to case your first one! Luv that card! Your hot cocoa card is awesome Curt & I luv everything about...great job & I think both of these are winners!!!

Becky said...

These are gorgeous, I do not know which one I like the best :), but if I had to pick, it would be the hot cocoa, it is just adorable, love the colors and the ribbon, also like the dewdrop thingy :).
Good luck
Becky

Danielle said...

wow - gorgeous cards Curt! I particularly love the top one - the muted browns are beautiful and the stamped 'negative' image is stunning! Love them!
Stay warm!
Hugs, Danielle

Marie said...

Fabulous cards! I really feel that you worked the color brown well with these cards. So warm and cozy. I'm SO behind with all my projects due to starting up school again. I just read over your last post about the House Mouse DT spot, wishing you well wishes and big hugs! Much Love, Marie.

CraftyC said...

Your cards are gorgeous, and yes, I am often up till the small hours crafting away. Amazing where the time goes!
Clairexx

Ila said...

Both of these cards are Gorgeous!! I love the way you stamped on printed paper...and the 3d CB layer over top...looks Fabulous!! the cocoa cups are just the Cutest...Wonnderful coloring and dimension!!...Have a Fabulous weekend!!...Hugs, Ila

Ann said...

Mmmm...I'm diggin' the chocolaty colors on these cards! I love the what you did with the negative space challenge, and I love the ribbon/bow on your cocoa card!

Papier Creatif said...

Curt! I knew you were bizzy & up to something! Love your chocolaty cards ... you're making want a Starbucks right now ... :) I really liked how you did the oval on textured paper w/ butterfly - beautifully done!

Judy said...

Love both of these cards. I never thought of using the paper that an oval was cut from as a frame but I will sure keep it in mind and give it a try.

Joan Fricker said...

Curt, your cards are great! I love what you did with the Negative Challenge. It is fantastic. I love your colors and everything about it.

We are looking forward to your news!

Joan

Michelle Alejandro said...

Love both these cards! Especially the first one. Really beautiful! It must be nice and cozy in your crafting room! Sometimes I too find myself up super late in the "zone" with stamping and then almost fall on my face into my stamp pads from being so tired. Oh we are such slave drivers!

Hugs,
Michelle

Anonymous said...

BOTH CARDS ARE BEAUTIFUL...THE "THINKING OF YOU" IS MY FAVORITE....YOU JUST KEEP GETTING BETTER....AND GUNTHER IS UNBELIEVEABLE...HE ACTS AS IF HE IS LAYING ON A DOWN COMFORTER...LOVE YA, MOM

Anonymous said...

Love these both Curt! Such warm soft colors - and I just love the dimension on the first one!

Gunther is so cute in the snow...my dogs used to love playing in the snow in VA!
hugs...

Shirley said...

I love your first card! It's a work of art. The background is fantastic to start and then your Negatives really maked the whole card a Positive.....Oh, you know what I mean, Curt!!! Yes I have looked at the clock and it said GO TO BED you addict.

Love the second card and the faux whipped cream, the paper piecing, and those dots!! and the dew drop too. What a cute phrase too!

I was excited about Pat's success too! I can't wait to hear about the DT thing. Happy stamping, Curt!!

Shirley said...
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Jamie Martin said...

Curt, I love these cards and the colors, especially the top one. I have that stamp and CuttleBug folder, I think I will have to case it!

Scossie Jane said...

Hi Curt
I'm still alive. Have gone back to my trade as a nurse, have had two years out, so spare time is now a luxury.
Still doing my Cricut Club, and making the monthly projects for that is time consuming, so blogging takes a back seat I'm afraid.
However, thank you so much for your comments on my blog, I love that you visit and notice I'm not there - my New Years Resolution didn't even last 5 minutes LOL.

Now to you, my friend, your cards are absolutely gorgeous, love the negative frame effect, I have that Cuttlebug folder, I'm going to have to COPY your card - is that OK? - Love it. My cards are so basic compared to yours - I need a private tutorial - pity I live, how many thousand miles away?? LOL

As for the coffee cups, how adorable, the cream effect is yummy, you are too clever.

Before I go - all the very best with the DT call - keeping my fingers and toes crossed for you. Await the news.

Love ya
Jane xx

Firenze said...

Thanks for the inspiration of the "thinking of you" - I love that embossing folder and am always looking for ways to use it!
Helen
South Africa

Lorraine said...

Beautiful cards Kurt as always. I also have a Schnauzer, Daisy she is 15 and adorable.

Cheryl B. said...

Both cards are great, Curt! I especially love the cocoa one. Usually you see cards for coffee or tea drinkers and rarely for cocoa drinkers. I've been drinking a ton of cocoa too because of the freezing temperatures we have been having here. I pretty much went through a huge container of Swiss Miss from Sam's Club by myself in just a little over a month and a half!

Diane said...

Love the cards...guess I will have to try the negative thing a try this week, the cocoa stamp is really neat....perfect time of year for it!! http://nelliesnest.blogspot.com

Jules said...

That boy doesn't love the snow at all does he!!! Cute picture!

Your cards are beautiful! I love them both. I especially like the cocoa sprinkle on the whipped cream, great attention to detail!

I am keeping my fingers crossed for you for the DT!

sandyh50 said...

Great cards, Curt! I was just thinking how did he get the chocolaty look on the whipped cream, then I read and found out it was an INKY finger that did it! LOL, I always have inky fingers.

sandyh50 said...
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magic boxes said...

Hi Curt,

Good to be back in my 'happy place'. (Been bogged down with blog).

Stunning cards, as always. I love the fluffy cream topping and your colours, on both cards, are fab!

Off to see what else I've missed.

Elaine

Deb Neerman said...

Omigosh, Curt, these cards are amazing! LOVE 'em both ... in fact, the first card might be my very favorite "Curt" card!

TFS you're amazing talent with us!! You rock!

DeeDee said...

WOW, that first card is amazing!! I really love it!! The POTW is so cool...I wish we got snow like that...but we don't! THANKS for visiting my blog and leaving such sweet comments...ALWAYS! You rock!! HUGS!!

dpkennedy said...

Wow, your negative card is just gorgeous! Real classy! And I love the mug images with the whipped cream...they are just adorable! Fantastic job on these!

Julia Aston said...

Hey Curt! love your positive/negative whatever it was card! The cuttled framing and butterfly are just super!

and I love the foaming mugs! have to go and look at your other posts to find out the news about your DT app!

Denise said...

Love your cards Curt, great job as always!
Hugs~

Sue said...

have left you some thing on my blog Curt, sue.x

Gina Wrona said...

OMG!

Did you really say 3,000 cards? That is so awesome!

I just got chills looking at your pic of Rooting in the Snow. Hopefully he didn't get frost bite or stay long enough in the snow to freeze, kwim?

Take care,
Gina

Sharon Caudle said...

Oh my gosh, both of your cards are GORGEOUS Curt!!!! That first one is just stunning! And that second one is so awesome with the cups of cocoa!!! You are so amazing!!!!

That's so amazing that Pat got so many cards! What a wonderful world of stampers and crafters! Hugs!!

Nancy said...

Love your cards, Curt! Your negative card is just beautiful, and I love the foam on your cocoa cups!

Tammy Hershberger said...

LMHO at your "I'm a dork!" comment about your negative card! I don't really think so! The card is FAAAABULOUS!!! I love the Distressed Stripes with the oval cut-out and all your other negative effects!

The second card is super, too! A great warm-up card!

Have a great week!

Janine said...

Hey Curt!!! I think both your cards are absolutely fabulous... I love the texture on the cocoa cups and the card for Sharon's challenge is beautiful!!
Hope all is well with you and that you have a great weekend planned.
It is almost here!!

WhimsicalThoughts said...

Awesome job Curt!